Wokingham youth counsellors warn of increasing exam stress this year

Youth counsellors in Wokingham say there has been a big increase in exam stress this year

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Exams are over and GCSE and A-level pupils have to kick their heels until results come out in

August.

These could be the long,hazy days they dreamed of all through revision – or they could be

dark days of dread.

Reporter SALLY BRYANT spoke to Paul Cassidy, co-ordinator of the ARC counselling service, about tips for how to handle the long wait.

The exam period has always been a rollercoaster – the tension mounts and mounts until you turn over the first paper, then you hold your breath and hope you don’t plunge too violently on results day.

But counsellors at ARC, who have been helping young people in the Wokingham area for 20 years, are concerned more pupils have been suffering with stress this year.

Mr Cassidy said: “We have been working with extra counsellors in schools, working with kids who are anxious – we have noticed a huge spike this year and some cases of extreme anxiety.

“There’s a lot of pressure but it’s the way education is at the moment, results are important to schools, important for leagues.

“People choose schools by exam results. Already schools are getting the kids ready for the next year, parents are told about the importance of results and kids have been really pressure-cooked up to the exams.”

Changes in the education system, schools with an eye always on their success rates, ambitious parents, the cost of going to university or the pressure of finding a job may all be playing a part.

But whatever the reason, Mr Cassidy stresses there are things you can do to help you cope.

Although it may be too late to do anything about how you did in the exams, Mr Cassidy says you should do just a little more homework to ensure you are ready for whatever happens now.

He added: “Have a Plan B ready. You may be optimistic and then get a huge shock, or it could go the other way. It’s a case of considering choices.

“Some are considering not going to university for financial reasons, so you could be looking at apprenticeships – these are very difficult choices.

“If your first and second choices do not come through, there are apprenticeships, possibilities of resitting – talk to a careers adviser.

“Most importantly it will not be the end of the world if it is not Plan A, you learn with age Plan A doesn’t always work!”

The wait for results can be almost as bad for parents as it is for their offspring, but Mr Cassidy also has advice for anyone, who thinks their child is becoming too anxious.

He said: “Look for the signs, kids starting to isolate themselves, stopping going out with their friends, staying in their room – watch for changes in behaviour.

“Next year we are going to put stress reduction classes into schools before the exams to reduce the pressure, to teach kids how to deal with stress.”

ARC, based in Reading Road, Wokingham, works with secondary and primary schools in the borough. It is open through the summer – the website www.arcweb.org.uk has relaxation techniques and a stress app to download.

Those looking for advice can drop in, call (0118) 977 6710 or find ARC on Facebook and Twitter.